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The History of the Biloxi Art Association Introduction The Biloxi Art Association is a gathering of artist from all walks of life. Many of us have studied art, traveled to different countries to increase our artistic abilities, studied locally or not traveled or studied at all. Art serves as a business, hobby or just for our own pleasure. For whatever reason, we have one thing in common, “Our Love of Art.” I volunteered to do this project for the B.A.A. to show my gratitude to this group of wonderful artists. I wanted current members and future members of this group to know and understand the group that they have chosen to join. They have encouraged me and helped me along the way in my own art career. I was initially very shy about showing anyone my work but upon meeting many of the members of this group, my attitude changed. I love each and every one of them. They have become my friends and fellow artists. I hope all of these members continue to thrive in their own personal goals and art careers. Betsy Mabee The BeginningBiloxi Art Association began as the Biloxi Art Gallery established in 1965. The first showing at the gallery was in July 1965. The Art Gallery was the predecessor to the Biloxi Art Association which is currently still in existence. Formally organized in 1965 and filed for tax exempt status in 1966 under the name of the Biloxi Art Association according to written records. (1967 tax forms) The Biloxi Art Gallery’s location was at the Old Carriage House on the Baldwin Wood Estate. The Biloxi Art Association sponsored the gallery. The first art showing was on July 18, 1965 at this location. The founding members were Mr. Harry Reeks and Mrs. Sam Sehon. Mrs. Ida Lapp was listed as secretary and treasurer. It is noted that officers were formally elected in March 1966. The first officers were as follows: President, Mr. Harry Reeks; V.P. Mrs. Edythe V. Davis; Treasurer, Mrs. Sam Sehon; Secretary, Mrs. Norma Pleasants; P.R. was Mrs. Maxine Bagnard and Mrs. Dalton Shourds King. Also elected at that time was the Biloxi Art Gallery director and awards chairman, Mr. Aubrey Gardner. The groups first two projects were in July 1966 – Gallery Exhibit which was called the Tri-State Show. In October 1966 the 1st annual Biloxi Arts and Crafts Fair was held. Founding Father of the Biloxi Art Association Mr. Harry Reeks was the founding father of the current Biloxi Art Association. (I would like to note that there was another association in the 1920’s or 1930’s but appears to have faded out.) Mr. Reeks was a combat artist for the U.S. Marines in WWII. He exhibited in many museums and galleries in many southern states. He was an artist, sculptor, portrait painter, muralist and lecturer. He has 3 statues in St. Michael’s Church in Biloxi, MS. Located on Highway 90. Biloxi Art Gallery was a meeting place for many artists. The artists would sit under the oaks to paint and draw. Classes were held every Sunday. The property was referred to the cultural center of Biloxi. These sessions were referred to as “sit-ins.” The B. A. Gallery was housed in the rear of the main house in the “Old Carriage House.” The house was one of the finest Queen Anne Victorian Houses in America, the former Baldwin Wood House overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in eastern Biloxi. HURRICANE CAMILLE - AUGUST 17, 1969 Hurricane Camille devastated the coast including the Old Carriage House. The house contained many pieces of art from local artists and most of the organizations records. The only surviving records was a folder which contained some tax records, original by-laws and a large scrap book. The group became defunct until July 1971. In July 1971, the group reformed. The meetings were moved to Joe Moran’s Art Studio on Porter Avenue. Mr. Joe Moran established the “Starving Artist” Weekly sales on Sunday. These sales were often referred to as being similar to sales and artists meetings held in Jackson Square in New Orleans. These sales later went to monthly sales/meetings on Sunday afternoons. During this time, the 1st Annual Art Show at Edgewater was held from August 30th – September 12th, 1971. Awards included many Purchase Awards, Merchandise Awards, Merit and Ribbon awards. It was noted that Homer Rice was in charge of a new membership drive to strengthen the group. 1972 - Meetings continued to be held at Moran’s Art Studio. The Sunday sales, pursuit of a new gallery location and an annual show were the goals for that year. 1973 – Spring art festival was held at Moran’s Art Studio on Porter. The annual Art show at Edgewater was held in October. 1974 – A new location was found for the Group, hallelujah! The Magnolia Hotel opened as a gallery for the B.A.A. It was a new location to show the group’s art, gathering place to paint and learn. It was a temporary location. The Edgewater Show was held from 21 Oct 1974 – 3 Nov 1974. 1975 – The B.A.A. was asked by the city to view the newly renovated Carriage House that was previously heavily damaged by Hurricane Camille. On June 29, 1975, a grand opening of the B.A.A.’s gallery was held at the Carriage House. A brochure was created for the location. Over 400 were in attendance on that grand opening night. The location was on the corner of Water and Bellman St. The City of Biloxi renovated the Baldwin Wood Estate and house. Mr. Aubrey Garman was the new directory of the Carriage House and SSgt Cliff Lamoree was the assistant. 1976 – Annual Arts and Craft show was held on Nov 6, 1976 at the Carriage House. 1977 – Annual Arts and Craft show held at Carriage House. 1979 – A show was held and it was referred to as the 14th Annual Show ****check**** 1980 – Carriage house was closed due to a Heat Wave across the South. No air conditioning was in this house. Mary Mahoney’s art sales began on Sunday. Annual show was held on Aug 24 – Sept 2, 1980. 1981 – Group was in midst of reorganizing. B.A.A. moved to the Magnolia Hotel located at 137 Rue Magnolia in the Vieux Marche. 16th Annual show was held. Daniel Melvin was President.
1982 – Starving Artists Sales began again at the new location. 17th Annual show was held. Group participated in the Heritage Festival that was held across from the Small Craft Harbor between Lameuse and Main St. Mr. and Mrs. Brent Homans became lifetime members and honored for their support of the group. Sunday art sales continued and continued to have “Paint-ins”. Being picked to have their art displayed in Barbados at the American Embassy honored many Biloxi Artists. The art would be displayed for 2 years. See brochure in records. 1983 – 18th annual show. A tea was held to show the groups art. Records indicate that the group participated in the “Old Biloxi Fall Festival on Nov 6, 1983. 1984 – Annual show was held. B.A.A. also held a show at the Biloxi High School for students. 1985 – Hurricane Elena damaged Gallery. 1986 – Magnolia Hotel reopened in April 1986. B.A.A. was awarded a certificate from the City of Biloxi for outstanding contributions to the quality of life for the community.
1988 – Moved from Magnolia Hotel to the Creole Cottage at the Biloxi Public Library and Cultural Center on Lameuse St. Creole Cottage is 1830’s restored Creole Cottage. It was Mississippi’s first permanent free library. 1992 – Clovis Kelley’s name first appears in newspaper’s articles.
1998 – The group moved from Creole Cottage to Studio Ohr at 131 Rue Magnolia in February of 1998. 2002 – 3rd Saturday sales at Mary Mahoney’s. Noted that Pal Reeves, Elizabeth Huffmaster, Sharon Jones, Elizabeth Rosetti, Linda Nix, Clovis Kelly, Thomas Kelley, Carol Moradmand, Tony Pisatura, Margaret Heitzmann, Joann Carlton, Kurt and Liz Salla, and Linda Pitalo participated. Children’s workshop was held during the sale. Great participation. The B.A.A. Memorial Day Festival of Arts on the Town Green was held. Toni McCleave was in the Sunherald as one of the artists that participated. The art meetings moved to Elizabeth Rosetti’s Fine Art Studio at 178 Main St. The following were shown in articles from the group. Kathy Sykes, Toni McCleave, Elizabeth Huffmaster and Pal Reeves. Pal Reeves, 1st women pharmacist on the coast. 2004 – B.A.A. displays art at the Port-O-Call Restaurant in D’Iberville and the Margaret Sherry Library. The Memorial Day Art Festival was held. 2005 – Memorial Day Festival of the Arts. Mary Mahoney’s Saturday sales will resume. SOURCES: Scrapbook in possession of the B.A.A. Sunherald newspaper articles and microfiche contained in the Biloxi Library on Lameuse St. Tax records from 1966.
HURRICANE KATRINA - AUGUST 29, 2005
edited by Gail Hendrickson
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John Hahn constructed the
